Eligibility

Each financial aid grant, loan, and employment program has eligibility requirements that, to be awarded and receive the funds, you must meet. Most of the programs have shared eligibility requirements. To be eligible to receive federal student financial aid, you must:

Be a citizen of the United States of America, or be an eligible non-citizen. An example of an eligible non-citizen is someone who has been granted the status of Permanent Resident by the United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS). Additional information on the definition of an eligible non-citizen can be found at http://studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility/non-us-citizens.

Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at UT Dallas.

If you are enrolled in classes required to obtain certification as a teacher in Texas or you are enrolled in undergraduate classes which are prerequisite to being considered for admission into a graduate program, you may be eligible for the federal Direct Stafford Loan program.

Demonstrate financial need (for most programs).

Have a valid Social Security number (unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).

Be registered with Selective Service, if you are male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25) or be exempt from registration.

Meet Financial Aid enrollment requirements. With the exception of the Federal Pell Grant, students must be enrolled and attending at least half-time for financial aid eligibility. For undergraduate students, half-time for financial aid purposes is at least 6 SCH in the fall, spring, and summer term. For graduate students, half-time for financial aid purposes is at least 5 SCH in the fall and spring term and at least 3 SCH in the summer term.

To be considered for financial aid eligibility, the classes taken must be:

You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund of a previously awarded federal student aid grant.

You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

Show you are qualified to obtain a college education by:

Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or

Completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law.

If you are not a US Citizen or an eligible non-citizen, you are a resident of the state of Texas, and you are not attending UT Dallas as an international student using a student visa, you may be eligible for grants from the state of Texas or UT Dallas. To be eligible for Texas funds you must:

Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at UT Dallas.

Demonstrate financial need.

Be registered with Selective Service, if you are male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25) and not otherwise exempt from registration.